A number of roads, mostly in the state’s east, were closed or partly closed due to fallen trees.

Parts of a roof became airborne in Clayton, in Melbourne’s south-east, landing on a busy intersection about 11.30am.

A VicRoads spokeswoman said the debris had fallen near the intersection of Clayton and Carinish roads, causing heavy delays in the southbound lane.

Horse racing in Sale, Gippsland, has been abandoned due to the wind.

A severe weather warning has been issued for most of the state, with damaging winds predicted to hit the Dandenongs, Macedon and Alpine ranges, Ballarat, the Grampians, Mornington, Bellarine, and the Surf and Bass coasts.

Low temperatures are expected to continue through the weekend, but winds are forecast to be light on Saturday and Sunday.

El Nino-like conditions have persisted for much of this year, favouring warmer than average temperatures over southern and eastern Australia and drier conditions across much of the east.

But the bureau said on Tuesday that it had lowered its expectations that an El Nino would form this year to a 50/50 chance from previous estimates of a 70 per cent chance.

El Nino events typically see the Pacific Ocean become less of a heat sink, propelling global temperatures already elevated because of global warming closer to record levels.

With Peter Hannam and AAP

Werribee Open Range Zoo has closed some of its pathways, but is still open to visitors.

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